Expert panel notes sudden increase of population
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, September 04 2023: There has been a "sudden increase" in the size of population of certain communities in Manipur over the last few decades, said a State think tank while stressing the finding of a Cabinet sub-committee that came across more than two thousand illegal immigrants within a short period of time early this year.

During a consultative meeting of the think tank organised by the Manipur State Population Commission at Hotel Imphal today, Commissioner (Home), T Ranjit Singh said that the Manipur State Population Commission was set up on February 17, 2023 and to look into the issue of illegal immigrants in the State, the Government constituted a Cabinet sub-committee comprising three Ministers on February 16, 2023 .

Expert panel notes sudden increase of population

He said verification drives to detect and identify illegal immigrants were launched in five districts bordering Myanmar, and within a short period, more than two thousand illegal immigrants were detected and identified.

The State Government then took up steps to provide shelter to these immigrants on humanitarian ground, he said.

Notably, the Cabinet sub-committee, formed on Fe- bruary 16, headed by Tribal Affairs Minister Letpao Haokip found as many as 2,187 illegal immigrants from Myanmar within a short span of time.

The Cabinet sub-committee Members visited Gam- phazol in Kangpokpi district and Singngat in Chura-chandpur and documented their findings.

The Cabinet sub-committee compiled and submitted its "initial finding report" to the State Government on April 24.The initial report said it found 2,187 illegal immigrants in 41 locations.

1,147 Myanmar Nationals were found in 13 locations in Tengnoupal district.

881 Myanmar Nationals were detected in 3 locations in Chandel district.

154 Myanmar Nationals were found in one location in Churachandpur district.

5 Myanmar Nationals were found in 24 locations in Kamjong district.

Significantly, the report said that the illegal immigrants from Myanmar were found to have established their own villages.

The report said "During the identification drive, it was observed that the illegal Myanmari immigrants have established their own villages" .

Moreover, Assam Rifles had recently reported that 718 Myanmar Nationals have been found in Chandel on July 22-23 amid the present unrest in Manipur.

Asking the Assam Rifles to push back the 718 Myanmar Nationals, the Government had then also asked the AR to clarify how and why they were allowed to cross the border into Manipur.

Meanwhile, during the discussion of the think tank today, Commissioner (Home), T Ranjit Singh said there has been a sudden increase in the population of certain groups over the last 130 years.

According to 1881 Census, the Meitei population was about 1 lakh 30 thousand which increased to 12 lakh 50 thousand according to the 2011 Census.

The Naga population has increased from 60 thousand in the 1881 Census to 6.04 lakhs in 2011 Census. On the other hand, the Kuki-Mizo population which was only 17 thousand in the 1881 Census, increased to 4.48 lakh in the 2011 Census, he said.

Significantly, Meiteis form 43.82 percent of the total population according to the last Census.

As per available data, in 1881--
Meiteis population was 1,30,796 (59.16 %)
Nagas groups-59,904 (27.10 %)
Kukis & Mizo groups-17,204 (7.78 %)

Old Kuki groups-8,180 (3.70%)
Meitei Pangals-4,881 (2.21%)
Unspecified Tribes- Unavailable
Others-105 (.05%)
Total population-2,21,070 (100 %)

As per the 2011 census, the total population was 28,55,794 and Meiteis formed 43.82 percent of the population, a sharp decline from 59.16 percent in 1881 .

Population of Meiteis in 2011 was 12,51,307 (43.82 %);
Nagas Groups-6,73,803 (23.59 %)--exhibits a decline from 27.10 percent in 1881;
Population of Kuki & Mizo Groups stood at 4,48,214 (15.69 %)--showing more than 100 percent jump in the proportion from 7.78 percent in 1881;
Old Kuki Groups-24,599 (0.86 %);
Meitei Pangals-2,39,836 (8.40 %);
Unspecified Tribes- 20,806 (0.73 %);
Others-1,97,229 (6.91 %)
Total population-28,55,794 (100 %) .

During the discussion, Lenin Singh Hijam, Advocate General, Manipur said that the Government of India, at the time of the merger, published a white paper on the Indian States in 1950 which clearly mentioned the size and the population of Manipur.

Now, after more than 70 years of neglecting and forgetting the official publication, different groups and some so-called experts have inserted wrong information in books and others that have affected the existence of the State and the National security as well.

He appealed to the panel of experts to diagnose and solve the problems before coming to a conclusion.

Bobby Waikhom, Secretary to Governor, Dr Moirangthem Manimohan Meetei, State Population Commissioner and Dr M Veto Singh, Secretary, MSPC attended the discussion along with experts and intellectuals from various fields.